This Sura is the last of a series begun with Sura 17, in which the growth of the spiritual man as an individual is considered, especially illustrated by the way in which the great apostles were prepared for their work and received their mission, and the nature of Revelation in relation to the environments in which it was promulgated. (See Introduction to Sura 17.) It also closes the subseries beginning with Sura 26, which is concerned with the spiritual Light, and the reactions to it at certain periods of spiritual history. (See Introduction to Sura 27.)
The last Sura closed with a reference to the doctrine of the Maad, or final Return of man to Allah. This theme is further developed here, and as it is continued in the subsequent three Suras all bearing the Abbreviated Letters A.L.M., it forms a connecting link between the present series and those three Suras.
In particular, emphasis is laid here on the necessity of linking actual conduct with the reception of Allah's Revelation, and reference is again made to the stories of Noah, Abraham, and Lot among the apostles, and the stories of Midian, Ad, Thamud, and Pharaoh among the rejecters of Allah's Message. This world's life is contrasted with the real Life of the Hereafter.
Chronologically the main Sura belongs to the late Middle Meccan period, but the chronology has no significance except as showing how clearly the vision of the Future was revealed long before the Hijrat, to the struggling Brotherhood of Islam.
Summary.-Belief is tested by trial in life and practical conduct: Though Noah lived 950 years, his people refused Faith, and Abraham's generation threatened to burn Abraham. (Verses 1 to 27 and commentary C.177).
Lot's people not only rejected Allah's Message but publicly defied him in sin; the Ad and the Thamud had intelligence but misused it, and Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman perished for their overweening arrogance: They found their worldly power as frail as a spider's web. (Verses 28 to 44 and commentary C.178).
The Koran as a revelation stands on its own merits and is a Sign: It teaches the distinction between Right and Wrong, and shows the importance and excellence of the Hereafter. (Verses 45 to 69 and commentary C.179).
C.177-(Verses 1 to 27)-Faith must be tested in the conflicts of practical life, but Good can never be submerged. On the contrary, Allah Will wash off all stains from those who strive, and admit them to the Fellowship of the Righteous. Not so are the hypocrites and those who reject Faith. Their hearts are diseased, and they will not accept the right though a Noah preached to them for a thousand years, or an Abraham reasoned with them on Allah's most wonderful providence. But the true will ever search out the Truth, and Truth will always prevail.
29:1 SURA 29. Ankabut, or the Spider. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. A. L. M.
29:2 Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?
29:3 We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.
29:4 Do those who practice evil think that they will get the better of us? Evil is their judgment!
29:5 For those whose hopes are in the meeting with Allah (in the Hereafter, let them strive); for the term (appointed) by Allah is surely coming: And He hears and knows (all things).
29:6 And if any strive (with might and main), they do so for their own souls: For Allah is free of all needs from all creation.
29:7 Those who believe and work righteous deeds, -- from them shall We blot out all evil (that may be) in them, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds.
29:8 We have enjoined on man kindness to parents: But if they (either of them) strive (to force) thee to join with Me (in worship) anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not. Ye have (all) to return to Me, and I will tell you (the truth) of all that ye did.
29:9 And those who believe and work righteous deeds, -- them shall We admit to the company of the Righteous.
29:10 Then there are among men such as say, "We believe in Allah"; but when they suffer affliction in (the cause of) Allah, they treat men's oppression as if it were the Wrath of Allah! And if help comes (to thee) from thy Lord they are sure to say, "We have (always) been with you!" Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all Creation?
29:11 And Allah most certainly knows those who believe, and as certainly those who are Hypocrites.
29:12 And the Unbelievers say to those who believe: "Follow our path, and we will bear (the consequences) of your faults." Never in the least will they bear their faults: In fact they are liars!
29:13 They will bear their own burdens, and (other) burdens along with their own, and on the Day of Judgment they will be called to account for their falsehoods.
29:14 Section 2. We (once sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: But the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in ) sin.
29:15 But We saved him and the Companions of the Ark, and We made the (Ark) a Sign for all peoples!
29:16 And (We also saved) Abraham: Behold, he said to his people, "Serve Allah and fear Him: That will be best for you -- if ye understand!
29:17 "For ye do worship idols besides Allah, and ye invent falsehood. The things that ye worship besides Allah have no power to give you sustenance: Then seek ye sustenance from Allah, serve Him, and be grateful to Him: To Him will be your return.
29:18 "And if ye reject (the Message), so did generations before you: And the duty of the apostle is only to preach publicly (and clearly)."
29:19 See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats
it: Truly that is easy for Allah.
29:20 Say: "Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation: For Allah has power over all things.
29:21 "He punishes whom He pleases, and He grants mercy to whom He pleases, and towards Him are ye turned.
29:22 "Not on earth nor in heaven will ye be able (fleeing) to frustrate (His Plan), nor have ye, besides Allah, any protector or helper."
29:23 Section 3. Those who reject the Signs of Allah and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter), -- it is they who shall despair of My mercy: It is they who will (suffer) a most grievous Penalty.
29:24 So naught was the answer of (Abraham's) people except that they said: "Slay him or burn him." But Allah did save him from the Fire. Verily in this are Signs for people who believe.
29:25 And he said: "For you, ye have taken (for worship) idols besides Allah, out of mutual love and regard between yourselves in this life; but on the Day of Judgment ye shall disown each other and curse each other: And your abode will be the Fire, and ye shall have none to help."
29:26 But Lut had faith in Him: He said: "I will leave home for the sake of my Lord: For He is Exalted in Might, and Wise."
29:27 And We gave (Abraham) Isaac and Jacob, and ordained among his progeny Prophethood and Revelation, and We granted him his reward in this life; and he was in the Hereafter (of the company) of the Righteous.
C.178-(Verses 28 to 44)-Worldly power cannot through sin defy the right, as was proved in the ministry of Lot; nor can Intelligence misused stand in the place of Allah's Light; nor can boastful insolence do aught but dig its own grave. The strength and skill, the beauty and power, of this world's life are no more than a Spider's Web, flimsy before the force of the eternal verities that flow from Allah Supreme!
29:28 And (remember) Lut: Behold, he said to his people: "Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation (ever) committed before you.
29:29 "Do ye approach men and cut off the highway? -- And practice wickedness (even) in your councils?" But his people gave no answers but this: They said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth.'
29:30 He said: "O my Lord! Help Thou me against people who do mischief!"
29:31 Section 4. When Our Messengers came to Abraham with the good news, they said: "We are indeed going to destroy the people of this township: For truly they are (addicted to) crime."
29:32 He said: "But there is Lut there." They said: "Well do we know who is there: We will certainly save him and his following, -- except his wife: She is of those who lag behind!"
29:33 And when Our Messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account, and felt himself powerless (to protect) them: But they said: "Fear thou not, nor grieve: We are (here) to save thee and thy following, except thy wife: She is of those who lag behind.
29:34 "For we are going to bring down on the people of this township a Punishment from heaven, because they have been wickedly rebellious."
29:35 And We have left thereof an evident Sign, for any people who (care to) understand.
29:36 To the Madyan (people) (We sent) their brother Shuaib. Then he said: "O my people! Serve Allah, and fear the Last Day: nor commit evil on the earth, with intent to do mischief."
29:37 But they rejected him: Then the mighty Blast seized them, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning.
29:38 (Remember also) the Ad and the Thamud (people): Clearly will appear to you from (the traces) of their buildings (their fate): The Evil One made their deeds alluring to them, and kept back from the Path, though they were gifted with Intelligence and Skill.
29:39 (Remember also) Qarun, Pharaoh, and Human: There came to them Moses with Clear Signs, but they behaved with insolence on the earth; yet they could not overreach (Us).
29:40 Each one of them We seized for his crime: Of them, against some We sent a violent tornado (with showers of stones); some were caught by a (mighty) Blast; some We caused the earth to swallow up; and some We drowned (in the waters): it was not Allah Who injured (or oppressed) them: They injured (and oppressed) their own souls.
29:41 The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the Spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the Spider's house; -- if they but knew.
29:42 Verily Allah doth know of (every thing) whatever that they call upon besides Him: And He is Exalted (in power), Wise.
29:43 And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those understand them who have knowledge.
29:44 Allah created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): Verily in that is a Sign for those who believe.
C.179-(Verses 45 to 69)-Proclaim the Message of Allah, and pray to Him for purity and guidance. Allah's Revelation carries its own proofs and is recognized by men of wisdom. Its rejecters but lose their own chances of profiting by the Truth, and attaining the Paths that lead to Allah's own gracious Presence!
29:45 Section 5. Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish Regular Prayer: For Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.
29:46 And dispute ye not with the people of the Book except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): But say, "We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our Allah and your Allah is One; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)."
29:47 And thus (it is) that We have sent down the Book to thee. So the People of the Book believe therein, as also do some of these (Pagan Arabs): And none but Unbelievers reject Our Signs.
29:48 And thou wast not (able) to recite a Book before this (Book came), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thy right hand: In that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubted.
29:49 Nay, here are Signs self-evident in the hearts of those endowed with knowledge: And none but the unjust reject Our Signs.
29:50 Yet they say: "Why are not Signs sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "The Signs are indeed with Allah: And I am indeed a clear Warner."
29:51 And is it not enough for them that We have sent down to thee the Book which is rehearsed to them? Verily , in it is Mercy and a Reminder to those who believe.
29:52 Section 6. Say: "Enough is Allah for a Witness between me and you: He knows what is in the heavens and on earth. And it is those who believe in vanities and reject Allah, that will perish (in the end)."
29:53 They ask thee to hasten on the Punishment (for them): Had it not been for a term (of respite) appointed, the Punishment would certainly have come to them: And it will certainly reach them, -- of a sudden, while they perceive not!
29:54 They ask thee to hasten on the Punishment: But, of a surety, Hell will encompass the rejecters of Faith! --
29:55 On the Day that the Punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them, and (a Voice) shall say: "Taste ye (the fruits) of your deeds!"
29:56 O My servants who believe! Truly, spacious is My Earth: Therefore serve ye Me -- (and Me alone)!
29:57 Every soul shall have a taste of death: In the end to Us shall ye be brought back.
29:58 But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness -- to them shall We give a Home in Heaven, -- lofty mansions beneath which flow rivers, -- to dwell therein for aye; -- an excellent reward for those who do (good)! --
29:59 Those who persevere in patience, and put their trust in their Lord and Cherisher.
29:60 How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah Who feeds (both) them and you: For He hears and knows (all things).
29:61 If indeed thou ask them who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law), they will certainly reply. "Allah". How are they then deluded away (from the truth)?
29:62 Allah enlarges the sustenance (which He gives) to whatever of His servants He pleases; and He (similarly) grants by (strict) measure, (as He pleases): For Allah has full knowledge of all things.
29:63 And if indeed thou ask them who it is that sends down rain from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death, they will certainly reply, "Allah!" Say, "Praise be to Allah!" But most of them understand not.
29:64 Section 7. What is the life of this world but amusement and play? But verily the Home in the Hereafter, -- that is life indeed, if they but knew.
29:65 Now, if they embark on a boat, they call on Allah, making their devotion sincerely (and exclusively) to Him; but when He has delivered them safely to (dry) land, behold, they give a share (of their worship to others)! --
29:66 Disdaining ungratefully Our gifts, and giving themselves up to (worldly) enjoyment! But soon will they know.
29:67 Do they not then see that We have made a Sanctuary secure, and that men are being snatched away from all around them? Then, do they believe in that which is vain, and reject the Grace of Allah?
29:68 And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or rejects the Truth when it reaches him? Is there not a home in Hell for those who reject Faith?
29:69 And those who strive in Our (Cause), -- We will certainly guide them to Our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right.
